Flow-meter.



A. R. DGDGE.

FLOW METER4 APPLICAHON msu Nov. 1I. 1913.

Patented Mny2,191(5.

Ilwverwtor: aqustrw F?. dipje, b lj /gb'v- His .XTttOr-rwqg.

Wqtrwesses of the agent referred to above.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEErcE.

AUSTIN R. DODGE, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 GENERAL ELECTRItCOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

FLOW-METER.

Application filed November 17, 1913.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, AUSTIN R. DODGE, a citizenof the United States, residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady,State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFlow-Meters. of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to flow meters and more particularly to flow metersfor use 1n measuring the flow of condensable vapor, as steam, throughconduits.

F low meters of the type to which my 1nvention relatescomprise broadlyan agent which is associated -with the conduit conveying the fluid to bemeasured and which adapted to create a pressure difference varying withthe rate of such flow, a pressure responsive device which may bedesigned for indicating or recording, or both, andAsuitable pipingconnecting the agent and the device through which the variations inpressure are transmitted from the agent to the device. The pipingcomprises two conduits, each connected at one end to the pressureresponsive device and at the other end to the points of high and lowpressure In order that the fiow meter shall be accurate in its readingsit is necessary that the pressure be transmitted through a. medium, suchas water, and that the piping system be at all times substantiallyfilled. It is further necessary that the pressure heads due to thismedium be kept at all times practically equal, since as is obvious anyvariation'between the relation ofthe two pressure heads will introduceerrors into the meter readings. To this end it is necessary that thepipes be connected into the indicating device and also into the steamconduit in the same horizontal planes.

In the operation of an arrangementy as just referred to, a.variation inthe rate of How of steam being Imetered causes the `column of water intheone pipe to be lowered and that in the other raised. This varyingcauses a spilling over of tiuid, which spill passes into the mainconduit. rI he amount of this spill from the one pipe will be replacedin the other pipe by Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 2, 1916.

Serial No. 801,359.

the condensing of steam, thus quickly equalizing the pressure heads.When the agent used to create the pressure differences is in the form ofa Venturi or orifice tube, it is objectionable to have the spill7 enterthe same through the high pressure connection, which connection isjoined into the normal section of the Venturi tube in advance of the lowpressure connection, for reasons which will be pointed out hereinafter.

One feature of my present invention relates to an arrangement used inconnection with a Venturi or orifice tube for taking care of the spillfrom the high pressure pipe, as will be fully explained hereinafter.

In the arrangements of the, general character referred to above it livasheretofore been considered necessary to locate the indicating device ata point below the steam carrying conduit in order that the pressureconducting pipes might' at all times he retained full of water and thepressure heads equal. By my present invention I have designed a systemof piping-whereby' the indicating device may be located at a point abovethe steam carrying conduit, and theV same still be operated in anaccurate and efficient manner. Such an arrangement is of primaryimportance where the steam carrying conduit is located near to orbeneath the ground asit permits the placing of the indicating instrumentat a. convenient and accesslble point for observation.

Still other features of my invention Will be pointed out hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein I have illustrated anembodiment of my invention, Figure l shows diagrammatically my pipingarrangement as used in connection with a horizontally arranged Venturitube embodying my improved arrangement for taking care of the spill; andFig. 2 is a view partially in section taken longitudinally of theVenturi tube and showing how my improved arrangement is adapted for usein connection with a vertically extending steam conduit.

The numeral 1 indicates .a conduit through which the steam to be meteredflows and into, which has been introduced a Venturi or orifice thbesection lin instrument of my approved or desired type which responds tovariations of pressure is shown at 3. This instrument would ordinarilybe in the form of a manometer and could be provided with suitableindicating and recording mechanisms as desired. The particular form ofthe instrument forms no part of the presentv invention. Connecting theinstrument 3 with the orifice tube section 2 are the high pressureconduit and the low pressure conduit which are shown as comprisingrespectively a horizontal section 4 or 4 in which is arranged a suitablecontrolling valve 5 or 5. La depending section (3 or G. a verticallyextending section 7 or 7, and a section 8 or S leading from a pointbelow the end of the section 7 or 7 to the instrument 3. T her'horizontal section 4 .connects directly into the throat of the orificetube as shown at 9.

In order that the water pressure heads in the two connecting pipes maybe the same it is necessary that the pipes 4 and 4 be arranged inexactly the same horizontal plane and in order that this maybeaccomplished by a single set of connections at no matter what anglethe orifice tube is placed I have arranged the connections as shown inthe dra\\'ing. To this end the horizontal sections 4 and 4 are arrangedin the same horizontal and vertical planes and the conduit 4 isconnected into the high pressure orifice 10 of the orifice tube by thepipe section 11 which extends parallel to the orifice tube. By thisarrangement it is clear that other things remaining constant no matterat what. angle the orifice tube is placed, the pressure heads willremain the same.

In the operation of a meter arranged as described there is a spill fromone connection o-r the other whenever a variation in the steam Howoccurs as has been referred to above and as is well understood. It isclear that if this spill collected in the pipe 11 when the pipe is inany but a horizontal position such a collection would cause a variationin the relation of the pressure heads. It is also objectionable to havethis spill enter the conduit in advance ,of the throat of the orificetube as the same tends to disturb the normal llow of the steam. In orderto take care of this spill and to overcome the objections noted, thepipe 11 is eX- tonded by means of pipe 12 to a point beyond the throatot' the orifice tube where it is connected into thoorilice tube througha restricted opening as shown at 13. The l0- cation of the point 125 issuch that there. is:.at difference in pressure between the points 1('1'and 131 the pressure at 13l being lower than that at it). This willcause a {iowafrom 10- through pipes 11 and l2 to point 13, and by side,the water on this opposite side being to a certain extent replaced bysteam in the depending tube. Although in a short time this steam will bereplaced by water obtained by the condensation of steam, neverthelessfor a time it imbalances the pressure heads and introduces an error inthe readings. In order to reduce the error due to this canse to aminimum I connect the upper ends of the pipes 6 and 6 to the pipes 4 and4 by means of enlarged chambers as shown at 14 and 14. By this means.the displacement of a given amount of water will cause a comparativelysmall change in the pressure head. These chambers may take the form ofsmall reservoirs. the pipes 4 and 4 being connected into the same nearthe tops thereof andthe conduits (i and (i leading from the bottoms.Suitable plugs 15 and 15 permit of ready access to the interiors ofthese reservoirs.

As before stated, the pipes S and S are connected into the pipes 7 and 7at points below the upper ends thereof. This arrangement provides an airtrap so that any air getting into the piping will rise. and be entrappedin the tops of thc pipes 7 and 7. In order to increase the capacity ofthese traps I have shown the' ends .of the pipes 7 and 7 as beingprovided with reservoirs 16 and 1(3, having suitable cocks 17 and 17 intheir tops, which may be opened to permit theI escape of any entrappedair or gases.`

1V here the conduit 1 extends close to the ground the depending pipes 6and G may be buried if found necessary. Bv the use of these dependingsections I am enabled to place my indicating instrument at a point abovethe conduit and still obtain accurate operation of the same undeall'l-onditions.

In accordance with the. provisions of the patent statutes, I havedescribed the principle of operation ofniy invention. together with theapparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof;but I desire to have it understoml that the apparatus shown is onlyillustrative, and that the invention Ycan be carried out b v othermeans.

That I claim as new and desire to secure lbyiIietters Patent of' theUnited States is:-

l; The combination of an agent for creating a pressure difference in aiuid to be metered that bears a definite relation to the Arate of flowthrough the main, a pressure responsive device located at a point abovesaid agent, piping connect-ing said device to said agent, said pipinghaving a portion extending to a lower level than said agent to form atrap, and a portion at a point above said device, and an air trap at thehighest point in said piping.

2. The combination of an agent for creating a pressure difference in afluid to be metered that bears a definite relation to the rate of flowthrough the main, a pressure responsive device located at a point abovesaid agent, and a high pressure conduit and a low pressure conduitconnecting said agent to the pressure responsive device, each of saidconduits including a section extending below the agent and an enlargedportion in said section.

3. The combination vof an agent for creating a pressure difference in afluid to be metered that bears a definite relation to the rate of fiowthrough the main, a pressure responsive device located at a point abovesaid agent, and a high pressure conduit and a low pressure conduitconnecting said agent to the pressure responsive device, each of saidconduits including a depending section connected to and extending belowthe agent, and an enlarged portion forming the upper end of each of saiddepending sections.

4. The combination of an agent for creating a pressure difference in aliuid to be metered that bears a definite relation to the rate of fiowthrough the main, a pressure responsive device located at a point abovesaid agent, and a high pressure conduit and a low pressure conduitconnecting said agent to the pressure responsive device, each ot saidconduits comprising a depending section having an enlargement at itsupper end, a vertically extending section which extends to a point abovesaid device. and a section connectinfr said device to said verticalextension at a point below the top ot' said vertically extendingsection.

5. rVlie combination of an agent lor creating` a pressure di'erence in afluid to bc metered that bears a definite relation to the rate of flowthrough the main, a pressure responsive device located at a point abovesaid agent. and a high pressure conduit and a low pressure conduitconnecting saidwigeut to the pri sure responsive device, each of saidconduits comprising a depending section having an enlargement at itsupper end. a vertically extending section having an enlarged top andwhich extends to point above said device and a section connecting saiddevice to the lower portion ot, said enlarged top.

G. ln a flow meter for condensable vapors, the combination of a pressureresponsive device, a main conduit carrying the vapor to be metered, aVenturi section inserted in said conduit, a low pressure pipe connectingthe throat of the Venturi section to the indicating device. a highpressure pipe connecting the normal section of the Venturi tube inadvance of the throat to the indicating device, said connecting pipesbeing normally filled with fluid of condensation for transmittingpressure, and means connected with the high pressure pipe for carryingthe overflow of liuid therefrom away from the point of connection of thehigh pressure pipe to the Venturi section.

7. In a How meter for condensable vapors, the combination `of a pressureresponsive device, a main conduit carrying the vapor to be met-ered, aVenturi section inserted in said conduit, a low pressure pipe connectingthe throat of the Venturi section to the indicating device. a highpressure pipe connecting the normal section of the Venturi tube in adance of the throat to the indicating device, said connecting pipes beingnormally iilled with fluid of condensation for transmitting pressure.and a pi'pe connecting the high pressure pipe to the Venturi section atal point bevond the throat thereof.

8. In a flow meter for condensable vapors, the combination of a pressureresponsive device, a inain conduit carrying the vapor to be metered; aventuri section inserted in said conduit, a low pressure pipe connectingthe throat of the Venturi section to the indicating device. a highpressure pipe connecting the normal section of the Venturi tube inadvance ot the throat to the indicating device, said connecting pipesbeing normally filled with fluid of condensation for transmittingpressure, and a pipe connecting the high pressure pipe to the Venturisection at a point beyond the throat thereof as regards the direction ofFlow, said connection being through a restricted orilice.

Sl. ln a liow meter, the combination of a Venturi section. a pipeextending parallel to said section and means connecting the ends of saidpipe into said section on opposite sides of the throat, the connectionto the down-stream end of `said section being through an orifice oflesser diameter than the other.

l0. In. a low meter, the combination of a Venturi section. a highpressure pipe connected thereto in advance of the throat as regards thedirection ol flow, said pipe Vincluding a portion extending parallel tothe \f"enturi section` and a second pipe connecting the parallel portionto said Venturi section beyond the throat as regards the directionof'How. suchconnection to said Venturi sectiolrbeing through arestricted orifice.

l1. .\s an articlev ot' manufacture, a Venturi section having an openingin its throat. and a pipe on the opposite side of lll)

